Tours
Dad gives a tour of his tiny desert home that looks like a spaceship
Everything about this house is fascinating. I just love the inside!
Elijah Chan
09.23.21

Sitting in the middle of a craggy desert in California is an unusual spacecraft propped up by stick-like legs.

You could easily call the cops for this alien encounter but if you look closer, it’s a creative reimagination of our extraterrestrial aspirations.

YouTube Screenshot - Tiny House Giant Journey
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - Tiny House Giant Journey

Welcome to Area 55, a glamping site that will let you experience what it’s like to live in a flying saucer.

This iconic structure is called the Futuro House.

It was conceived by Finnish architect and designer Matti Suuronen in 1968. Originally intended as a ski chalet, the prefabricated Futuro House plays on humanity’s first perception of its space-age future.

YouTube Screenshot - Tiny House Giant Journey
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - Tiny House Giant Journey

There are less than 100 Futuro houses in existence. 67 are registered with 20 of them being in the United States. And one of them is under the ownership of Ronald Jackson who runs the unique establishment.

When he stood in the middle of his lot in Joshua Tree, California, he saw an opportunity for business and passion.

What best to put in the middle of these low trees and dirt than an alien spacecraft. Jackson googled “UFO house” and Suuronen’s Futuro was the first one to come up.

YouTube Screenshot - Tiny House Giant Journey
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - Tiny House Giant Journey

To realize his passion project, Area 55 would need to be a self-contained and self-sustaining system. The entire place is off-grid and is relying mainly on solar panels for electricity. It also has a giant water tank on site which can last the house for three months.

YouTube Screenshot - Tiny House Giant Journey
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - Tiny House Giant Journey

Since the prefabricated house doesn’t have much room for intricate plumbing, Jackson provided his clients with a shower space and a dining area outside the “spaceship”. He also has a portable bathroom where you can do your business. It also runs on solar, which powers its pumps and toilet.

The house’s actual floor space is also limited so Jackson had to be much more creative.

YouTube Screenshot - Tiny House Giant Journey
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - Tiny House Giant Journey

He settled for an open floor plan, completely trashing the idea of dividing the space into smaller rooms. The living area is situated in the middle, while all surfaces are all around the edges of the house.

Furniture pieces are usually modular to save space, just like the couch that can be unfolded into a queen-sized bed. If it gets too hot in the summer, which it does in Joshua Tree, an AC unit is available for use. It’s the only appliance that’s hooked to a generator.

YouTube Screenshot - Tiny House Giant Journey
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - Tiny House Giant Journey

To add to the interior’s quirkiness, Jackson sprinkled in some sci-fi favorites like the “egg-chair” from Men In Black, and a retro television with a built-in VHS player.

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The movie selection? Sci-fi favorites like Aliens and Star Wars among others.

“This is a passion project and it’s something that I really care about,” Jackson shared with Tiny House Giant Journey, “I want everyone to ultimately just come with an open mind, leaving all the negativity, bad energy out the door and just be.”

Will it be a hit to those who are looking for a unique and other-worldly experience? Let’s just say Area 55 is fully booked until December of next year.

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A post shared by Area 55 (@area_fiftyfive)

Watch the video below to get a tour of this fascinating UFO home!

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